Tiltable Patient-Supporting Apparatus and Method of Tilting a Patient-Supporting Apparatus

ABSTRACT

A patient-supporting apparatus includes a lifting apparatus. The lifting apparatus includes an upper part, a lower part, and a lifting linkage. The lifting linkage connects the upper part to the lower part and has at least one scissors-form sub-linkage having a central articulation. A point of rotation of the central articulation is arranged in a displaceable manner such that the upper part may be tilted in a transverse direction.

This application claims the benefit of DE 10 2014 209 016.4, filed onMay 13, 2014, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD

The present embodiments relate to a tiltable patient-supportingapparatus with a lifting apparatus and a method of tilting such apatient-supporting apparatus.

BACKGROUND

Patient-supporting apparatuses may be adjusted vertically in height by alifting apparatus. DE 10 2004 016 728 A1 discloses a lifting apparatushaving an upper part and a lower part. The lifting apparatus has alifting linkage that connects the upper part to the lower part and hastwo sub-linkages that are connected to one another via connectingarticulations. The lifting apparatus also has a drive unit for adjustingthe height of the upper part. The drive unit acts on one of theconnecting articulations.

FIG. 1 shows an oblique view of such a lifting apparatus 1. The liftingapparatus 1 includes a lower part 2, in the form of a base plate, anupper part 3, for accommodating a patient support, and a lifting linkage4 that is configured in the form of a double scissors mechanism ordouble scissors structure. The lifting apparatus includes twoscissors-structure pairs 5, 6 as sub-linkages. The twoscissors-structure pairs 5, 6 are connected to one another in anarticulated manner.

The lower scissors-structure pair 6 is connected to the base plate 2 inan articulated manner via front scissors feet 7. Rear scissors feet 8 ofthe lower scissors-structure pair 6 are connected to one another via aslide that, when the double scissors structure 4 is opened and closed,runs back and forth in the running direction 11 on a running rail (notvisible) fastened on the base plate 2.

Between the front and the rear scissors feet 7, 8 of the lowerscissors-structure pair 6, a horizontally arranged electric motor 12 isfastened on the base plate 2. The axis of rotation 13 of the electricmotor 12 runs parallel to the running direction 11 of the slide 9 (notvisible). There is sufficient space for arranging a measure-control (notdepicted) above the electric motor 12.

Located between the front scissors feet 7 is a toothed gear mechanism 14that converts the rotary movement of the electric motor 12 into a linearmovement of a telescopic spindle 15. The telescopic spindle runsperpendicularly to the axis of rotation 13 of the electric motor 12 andis arranged between the front scissors-structure feet 7 and beneath thefront connecting articulation 16 of the double scissors structure 4. Thetelescopic spindle 15 is configured in the form of a trapezoidal screwspindle and has a spindle head connected in an articulated manner to thefront connecting articulation 16 of the double scissors structure 4 viaa transverse connection 17.

For a height adjustment of the upper part 3, the electric motor 12 isswitched on, and the telescopic spindle 15 is extended and/or retracted.The connecting articulation 16 of the double scissors structure 4executes a rectilinear movement in the vertical direction 18 at aconstant speed. The slide moves in the running direction 11. The axis ofrotation 13 of the electric motor 12 runs perpendicularly to the spindleaxis.

In radiography, for a fair number of imaging-recording operations andinterventions, for a patient lying on a patient-supporting apparatus,the patient is to be tilted about a horizontal transverse axis (e.g.,transverse to the direction in which the patient is lying). This allowsinternal organs to be displaced or moved into a position that isadvantageous for image-recording purposes (e.g., for recording images ofthe abdomen or thorax).

SUMMARY AND DESCRIPTION

The scope of the present invention is defined solely by the appendedclaims and is not affected to any degree by the statements within thissummary.

The present embodiments may obviate one or more of the drawbacks orlimitations in the related art. For example, a tiltablepatient-supporting apparatus and a method for tilting apatient-supporting apparatus are provided.

According to one or more of the present embodiments, a tilting movementof the patient-supporting apparatus is generated via a displacement ofthe point of rotation in the central articulation of a scissors-formlifting linkage. The displacement may take place either in a purelytranslatory manner via a linear guide or in rotary manner via aneccentric.

One or more of the present embodiments provide a patient-supportingapparatus with a lifting apparatus. The lifting apparatus includes anupper part, a lower part, and a lifting linkage that connects the upperpart to the lower part. The lifting linkage includes at least onescissors-form sub-linkage having a central articulation. The point ofrotation of the central articulation is configured to be moveable (e.g.,in a translatory or rotary manner), and therefore, the upper part may betilted in the transverse direction (e.g., about a transverse axis of apatient).

It is an advantage of the present embodiments that, without anyadditional subassemblies being provided between a lifting scissorsstructure and a table top (e.g., upper part) or between the lower partand the lifting scissors structure, a tilting movement may be generated.The necessary amount of installation space thus remains small, and theminimum rise height may be kept as low as possible.

A further advantage is that many of the components used in known liftingscissors structures may be used without modification (e.g., linear guideat the bottom, lifting drive, lifting linkage at the bottom, tabletop/lifting scissors structure interface, etc.), and the tiltingmechanism may be integrated in existing lifting scissors structurese.g., retrofitting).

In a development of the apparatus, the upper part may be configured inthe form of a table top or for a table top to be arranged on the upperpart.

In a further embodiment, the patient-supporting apparatus includes twosub-linkages that are arranged one above the other and are connected toconnecting articulations so as to form a double scissors structure. Thecentral articulation may be formed in the upper sub-linkage or in bothsub-linkages.

In a further embodiment, the patient-supporting apparatus includes afirst scissors arm and a second scissors arm that form the sub-linkageand are connected to one another by the central articulation such thatthe first scissors arm and the second scissors arm may be rotated aboutthe point of rotation. The apparatus also includes a slot that is formedin the first scissors arm and in which the point of rotation of thecentral articulation is arranged in a displaceable manner. A linearguide is formed in this way.

In a further configuration, the patient-supporting apparatus includes afirst drive unit that displaces the point of rotation in the slot.

In a further embodiment, the patient-supporting apparatus includes afirst scissors arm and a second scissors arm that form the sub-linkageand are connected to one another by the central articulation such thatthe first scissors arm and the second scissors arm may be rotated aboutthe point of rotation. The central articulation is configured in theform of an eccentric that rotates the point of rotation eccentrically. Arotating movement may thereby be provided.

In a development, the apparatus includes a second drive unit thatrotates the eccentric.

In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a third drive unit, foradjusting the height of the upper part. The third drive unit acts on oneof the connecting articulations.

In one embodiment, the third drive unit may be configured for arectilinear movement of the upper part in the vertical direction.

One or more of the present embodiments also provide a method of tiltinga patient-supporting apparatus. The point of rotation of the centralarticulation is moved such that the upper part is tilted in thetransverse direction (e.g., about a transverse axis formed transverselyto the direction in which a patient is supported).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a three-dimensional view of a patient-supporting apparatusaccording to the prior art;

FIGS. 2A-2C shows three side views of one embodiment of a tiltablepatient-supporting apparatus; and

FIGS. 3A and 3B shows two side views of a further embodiment of atiltable patient-supporting apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 2A-2C show a side view of one embodiment of a patient-supportingapparatus with a lifting apparatus 1 that is arranged between a lowerpart 2 and an upper part 3. The lifting apparatus 1 may lift the upperpart 3 vertically in relation to the lower part 2. The upper part 3 maybe configured in the form of a table top or may serve as a holder for atable top.

The lifting apparatus 1 includes a lifting linkage 4 that is formed fromtwo scissors-form sub-linkages 9 arranged one above the other (e.g.,upper and lower sub-linkages). The upper and the lower sub-linkages 9are connected to one another in a movable manner via connectingarticulations 16. A third drive unit 30, responsible for the verticalmovement of the lifting linkage 4, acts on one of the connectingarticulations 16. In one embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 1, thelifting linkage 4 may be formed from scissors-structure pairs. A rearscissors foot 8 is fixed to the lower part 2. A front scissors foot 7 isarranged such that the front scissors foot 7 may be displaced in alinear guide 31, and this allows the lifting linkage 4 to execute thevertical movement during opening and closing of the sub-linkages 9.

The upper sub-linkage 9 includes a first scissors arm 25 and a secondscissors arm 26 that are both connected to one another by a centralarticulation 10, such that the first scissors arm 25 and the secondscissors arm 26 may be rotated about the point of rotation 20. So thatthe upper part 3 may execute a rotating tilting movement 27 (e.g., atilting action about a transverse axis), the point of rotation 20 of thecentral articulation 10 may be displaced in the displacement direction21 in a slot 23 formed in the first scissors arm 25. The displacementtakes place with the aid of a first drive unit 28 (illustration B). Thefirst drive unit 28 may include, for example, a ball screw spindle.

The displacement of the point of rotation 20 causes the upper end of thesecond scissors arm 26 to be displaced in the vertical direction. Theupper end of the first scissors arm 25 maintains a vertical position.This results in the tilting movement 27, which inclines the upper part 3in relation to a horizontal.

FIGS. 3A and 3B show a side view of another embodiment of a furtherpatient-supporting apparatus with a lifting apparatus 1. The liftingapparatus 1 is arranged between a lower part 2 and an upper part 3 andmay lift the upper part 3 vertically in relation to the lower part 2.The upper part 3 serves as a holder for a table top 32, on which apatient may lie.

The lifting apparatus 1 includes a lifting linkage 4 that is formed fromtwo scissors-form sub-linkages 9 arranged one above the other. The upperand the lower sub-linkages 9 are connected to one another via connectingarticulations 16. A third drive unit 30, responsible for the verticalmovement of the lifting linkage 4, acts on one of the connectingarticulations 16. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the lifting linkage may alsobe formed from scissors-structure pairs. The rear scissors foot 8 isfixed to the lower part 2. The front scissors foot 7 is arranged suchthat the front scissors foot 7 may be displaced in a linear guide 31, sothat the lifting linkage 4 may execute the vertical movement.

The upper sub-linkage 9 includes a first scissors arm 25 and a secondscissors arm 26 that are connected to one another by a centralarticulation 10 such that the first scissors arm 25 and the secondscissors arm 26 may be rotated about the point of rotation 20. So thatthe upper part 3 may execute a rotating tilting movement 27 (e.g., atilting action about a transverse axis), the central articulation 10 isconfigured in the form of an eccentric 24. As a result of this, thepoint of rotation 20 of the central articulation 10 may rotateeccentrically in the direction of rotation 22. The rotation of theeccentric 24 takes place with the aid of a second drive unit 29(illustration B). The second drive unit 29 may have a worm-gearmechanism (e.g., a worm wheel). The worm wheel is fitted on theeccentric 24.

In mechanics and mechanical engineering, an eccentric 24 is a controldisk that is fitted on a shaft and of which a center point is locatedoutside the shaft axis. The eccentric 24 may convert rotary movementsinto lengthwise movements.

The rotation of the point of rotation 20 causes the upper end of thefirst scissors arm 25 to be displaced in the vertical (and horizontal)direction, wherein the upper end of the second scissors arm 26 maintainsa vertical position. This results in the tilting movement 27, whichinclines the upper part 3 in relation to a horizontal.

In the embodiments according to FIGS. 2A-2C and 3A-3B, the configurationalso gives rise to the upper part 3 being displaced horizontally whenthe upper part 3 is tilted. This undesired movement may be compensatedfor straightforwardly by a horizontal movement in the opposite directionof the patient-supporting apparatus. This is illustrated by way ofexample in FIG. 2C. The upper part 3 may be displaced with the aid ofthe fourth drive unit 33.

Depending on the design and tilting angle required, the scissorsmechanism according to one or more of the present embodiments may beintegrated in just one of the two sub-linkages 9 (as illustrated inFIGS. 2A-2C and 3A-3B) or else in both sub-linkages 9.

The elements and features recited in the appended claims may be combinedin different ways to produce new claims that likewise fall within thescope of the present invention. Thus, whereas the dependent claimsappended below depend from only a single independent or dependent claim,it is to be understood that these dependent claims may, alternatively,be made to depend in the alternative from any preceding or followingclaim, whether independent or dependent. Such new combinations are to beunderstood as forming a part of the present specification.

While the present invention has been described above by reference tovarious embodiments, it should be understood that many changes andmodifications can be made to the described embodiments. It is thereforeintended that the foregoing description be regarded as illustrativerather than limiting, and that it be understood that all equivalentsand/or combinations of embodiments are intended to be included in thisdescription.

1. A patient-supporting apparatus comprising: a lifting apparatuscomprising: an upper part; a lower part; and a lifting linkage thatconnects the upper part to the lower part, the lifting linkagecomprising at least one scissors-form sub-linkage having a centralarticulation, wherein a point of rotation of the central articulation isarranged in a displaceable manner such that the upper part is tiltablein a transverse direction of the upper part.
 2. The patient-supportingapparatus of claim 1, wherein the upper part is configured in the formof a table top.
 3. The patient-supporting apparatus of claim 1, furthercomprising a table top that is arranged on the upper part.
 4. Thepatient-supporting apparatus of claim 1, further comprising twosub-linkages that are arranged one above the other and are connected toconnecting articulations so as to form a double scissors structure,wherein the central articulation is formed in an upper sub-linkage ofthe two sub-linkages.
 5. The patient-supporting apparatus of claim 1,further comprising two sub-linkages that are arranged one above theother and are connected to connecting articulations so as to form adouble scissors structure, wherein the central articulation is formed inan upper sub-linkage and a lower sub-linkage of the two sub-linkages. 6.The patient-supporting apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a firstscissors arm and a second scissors arm that form the sub-linkage and areconnected to one another by the central articulation such that the firstscissors arm and the second scissors arm are rotatable about the pointof rotation, wherein the point of rotation is arranged in a linearlydisplaceable manner.
 7. The patient-supporting apparatus of claim 6,further comprising a slot that is formed in the first scissors arm, thepoint of rotation of the central articulation being arranged in the slotin a linearly displaceable manner.
 8. The patient-supporting apparatusof claim 6, further comprising a drive unit configured to displace thepoint of rotation in the slot.
 9. The patient-supporting apparatus ofclaim 1, further comprising a first scissors arm and a second scissorsarm that form the sub-linkage and are connected to one another by thecentral articulation such that the first scissors arm and the secondscissors arm are rotatable about the point of rotation, wherein thecentral articulation is configured in the form of an eccentric, torotate the point of rotation eccentrically.
 10. The patient-supportingapparatus of claim 9, further comprising a drive unit configured torotate the eccentric.
 11. The patient-supporting apparatus of claim 4,further comprising a drive unit configured to adjust the upper part inheight, wherein the drive unit acts on one of the connectingarticulations.
 12. The patient-supporting apparatus of claim 11, whereinthe drive unit is configured for a rectilinear movement of the upperpart in the vertical direction.
 13. The patient-supporting apparatus ofclaim 2, further comprising a first scissors arm and a second scissorsarm that form the sub-linkage and are connected to one another by thecentral articulation such that the first scissors arm and the secondscissors arm are rotatable about the point of rotation, wherein thepoint of rotation is arranged in a linearly displaceable manner.
 14. Thepatient-supporting apparatus of claim 13, further comprising a slot thatis formed in the first scissors arm, the point of rotation of thecentral articulation being arranged in the slot in a linearlydisplaceable manner.
 15. The patient-supporting apparatus of claim 13,further comprising a drive unit configured to displace the point ofrotation in the slot.
 16. A method of tilting a patient-supportingapparatus, the patient-supporting apparatus comprising a liftingapparatus comprising an upper part, a lower part, and a lifting linkagethat connects the upper part to the lower part, the lifting linkagecomprising at least one scissors-form sub-linkage having a centralarticulation, wherein a point of rotation of the central articulation isarranged in a displaceable manner such that the upper part is tiltablein a transverse direction of the upper part, the method comprising:moving the point of rotation of the central articulation such that theupper part is tilted in the transverse direction.